Toughening up our 6.1 Caravelle

[BeccaJDB]

Our local tracks and the awfully potholed roads had got me thinking about selling the Caravelle and getting an AWD. But, I tested a few and just don’t like cars.

So, I wondered about toughening up our van instead.

I’m talking to CRS about upgrading the suspension. And I know the other obvious improvement would be tyres. I’d rather not change the wheels (16) as well, so I hope members will weigh in with their usual good advice.

Suggestions for tyres that are good for gravel tracks and motorway. And should I do this before tackling the suspension just in case it’s enough?

Anything else I should consider? We’re not off-roaring, just looking for a smoother ride and better ability when it snows.

 

[Lubrown]

The Michelin Agilis Cross Climate is available in 16” and is a sturdy all season tyre. Available in 106 and 109 load ratings - personally I’d go for the 106 if I were after them as the higher you go the stiffer they will feel - that was my experience with Hankook anyway.

The Agilis aren’t cheap but they should last. BlackCircles currently have £120 off if you buy four.

The other thing to consider would be an SUV or even all terrain tyre - have a look at you rim width and what tyre sizes fit (especially width wise). Going toward the wider tyre width may give you a feeling of more cushioning. AT tyres will likely be a bit longer on stopping distances and may not have the wet grip of an all season (which in turn isn’t as good in the wet as a summer tyre unless the temp drops under four degrees Celsius). Having said that who drives a van ‘on the edge’, especially in poor weather?

We have the PowerFlex bushes which replaced the VW OE control arm bushes and these have held up really well while providing, I feel, a touch more control. Having said that the bushes they replaced were shot so I would hope new bushes give better control! Certainly not uncomfortable in any way and I believe they are longer lasting… they have done the same miles the OE had when they were removed yet the PowerFlex are showing no signs of damage or wear and the van still handles well, for a Transporter. Only worth doing if you need new bushes though really or if you need to burn through some money

 

[BeccaJDB]

So, definitely going for the CRS suspension improvements, but I did want to see what difference tyres made first. I had new Falken Van 11 tyres on the rear (216/65/16 – 109/107R) last year and have just realised they didn't fit the all-weather option I'd specified. Obviously, they're barely used at the moment. The front has 2/3rds-worn something or other.

I'm looking at the Agilis CrossClimate mentioned above (Nokian are just not available, in any case) but wondered if there were other options for a comfier ride, less pothole crashing, but no mpg loss. Any suggested tyre models, but also any advice on the width and profile. I'm pretty sure 107/109 is too high for a van with nothing but two people and the 100kg rear bench.

 

[Sasquatch]

Cooper ATTs are the most road oriented of their range (they do five ATs from mild to wild), designed for 60:40 road/off road use.

They roll very quietly, no worse than regular road boots. They return decent MPG into the low-mid 40s on a sensible speed run, behave well in the wet, and are rugged enough to handle unpaved gravelly tracks and provide more mechanical grip on such surfaces.

They have no formal 3peaks rating, but the manufacturer badges them as M+S and they've proven adept enough in the 4 inches of snow that the media describes as "heavy snowfall" these days.

The only sloght downside is that I find them a little bit uncommunicative, sometimes not feeding back to my ass as I would prefer. Having said that, being trained in the plod im very progressive through the controls and I've not come close to their limit. I think you'd need to be pretty cackhanded to overwhelm them.

 

[Lubrown]

I'm pretty sure 107/109 is too high for a van with nothing but two people and the 100kg rear bench.

107/109 is high. I previously had 104/106 Hankooks (Kwik Fit fitted different model to the one I ordered so I made them come out and change them next day). I have since dropped to a 102 rated Continental AS (mine is a T28 van) tyre and they are so much comfier than the higher rated Hankooks. Nicer over potholes and they were great in the snow.

 

[Jay586]

Every time I hit a dodgy pothole, I thank the lord that I took my van to CRS. I've had a couple of Transporters and they were ok but the Cali literally made me feel seasick. Able assistant wasn't happy I took an expensive van straight in for upgrades but even he will admit it was massively better after going. It will help, definitely worth the money.

 

[BeccaJDB]

Thank you everyone. I'm convinced. It's got to be better than swapping my beauty for a car!

The tyre place that put my Falken Van IIs on the rear last summer won't buy them back, so I'll be looking for the cheapest place to get the new ones and crossing my fingers they'll take my nearly new ones at least for a discount.

 

[Jay586]

I've sold tyres on ebay in the past. Sent them Paisley Freight.